Dear Salesian Family and Salesian Young People:

A lot of things happening but it is so good to be home for a few days in cool and breezy San Francisco. Last weekend I was in Los Angeles and the weather was unbearably hot.

Driving up from Southern California I stopped at Camp St. Francis in Aptos on Tuesday, June 14, to preside at the Final Liturgy and Commissioning Ceremony of the Salesian Youth Leadership Conference. It was a beautiful sunny day in Aptos and the early evening Eucharist, as well as the dinner afterwards, was celebrated outdoors. I reminded both the young people and their adult mentors that the leadership skills they have learned and the Salesian spirit they have received are not for them. They are gifts to be shared with everyone. After all, they are apostles (those who are sent) and missionary disciples, bearer of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Please say a prayer for the SYLC participants in their journey as Salesian missionary disciples.

Tomorrow I am going to be at the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club in San Francisco for the 100th Year Anniversary of the Club. I will preside at the Eucharist at Sts. Peter and Paul Church and then join in the dinner festivities at the club afterwards. Congratulations to the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club, their present staff and the staff over the years for the service to the youth of North Beach.

On Sunday I am heading to St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower for the 2022 Provincial Chapter. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, this chapter will give direction to the province plan for 2022-2028. Please keep the chapter delegates in your prayers as this is a significant and momentous occasion for the province moving forward.

On another note, I ask for your prayers and support for Bro. Jhoni Chamorro, who is on his final weeks of preparation for his final vows as a Salesian of Don Bosco. He will make his perpetual vows in Guadalajara, Mexico on August 6, 2022.

With everything going on around us let us remember our 2022 strenna, to “Do all through love, nothing through constraint.” May the Salesian spirit of kindness and gentleness, of joy and optimism, permeate your daily lives. May St. Francis de Sales and St. John Bosco accompany you in your journey to be signs and bearers of God’s love for the young.

Sincerely in Christ and in Mary,